Frankel Hangs on to Unbeaten Record in St James Palace Stakes

Although not impressing everyone, Frankel, the huge 30/100 odds on favourite duly went on to win the Group One, St James Palace Stakes over one mile at Royal Ascot earning him his seventh straight win from seven career starts and providing Cecil with his 73rd Royal Ascot winner.

The 2,000 Guineas winner who stormed home at Newmarket last month, was far more subdued today and went down to post very coolly. He stayed calm even after the off and remained that way right up until jockey, Tom Queally sent him after pace-maker, Rerouted after he had charged into the lead to set the race up for the favourite.

Once Frankel had taken up the running at around the halfway stage, the race became, in many ways almost a replica of the Guineas. Frankel charged into a five length lead and according to both jockey and trainer thought he had done enough by the end of the first six furlongs and started to idle, which allowed those in arrears an opportunity to get back at him in the final stages. Indeed that is exactly what happened with the Aidan O’Brien trained, Zoffany, making fools of those who said he could not get a mile taking up the challenge and catching the favourite with every stride. His effort of course was not quite enough, with Frankel holding on to win by ¾ length and a further ¾ length ahead of the third horse Excelebration.

There were many who believed that Frankel showed by his performance in this race that he was not the superstar most thought he was after the 2,000 Guineas, while there were plenty of others, including connections who believed that he had plenty left in the tank if it was needed. Cecil in fact hinted in his post race interview that the International Stakes at the York Ebor Festival could be his next target which would be his first effort over a distance more than a mile. The Group One Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, of course is still a major option where in all likelihood he would take on the older horses for the first time including Queen Anne Stakes winner, Canford Cliffs.